north america-1-第20章
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CHAPTER V。 UPPER CANADA。
Ottawa is in Upper Canada； but crossing the suspension bridge from Ottawa into Hull； the traveler is in Lower Canada。 It is therefore exactly in the confines； and has been chosen as the site of the new government capital very much for this reason。 Other reasons have no doubt had a share in the decision。 At the time when the choice was made Ottawa was not large enough to create the jealousy of the more populous towns。 Though not on the main line of railway； it was connected with it by a branch railway； and it is also connected with the St。 Lawrence by water communication。 And then it stands nobly on a magnificent river； with high； overhanging rock； and a natural grandeur of position which has perhaps gone far in recommending it to those whose voice in the matter has been potential。 Having the world of Canada from whence to choose the site of a new town； the choosers have certainly chosen well。 It is another question whether or no a new town should have been deemed necessary。 Perhaps it may be well to explain the circumstances under which it was thought expedient thus to establish a new Canadian capital。 In 1841； when Lord Sydenham was Governor…General of the provinces； the two Canadas； separate till then； were united under one government。 At that time the people of Lower or French Canada； and the people of Upper or English Canada； differed much more in their habits and language than they do now。 I do not know that the English have become in any way Gallicized； but the French have been very materially Anglicized。 But while this has been in progress national jealousy has been at work； and even yet that national jealousy is not at an end。 While the two provinces were divided there were； of course； two capitals； and two seats of government。 These were at Quebec for Lower Canada； and at Toronto for Upper Canada； both which towns are centrically situated as regards the respective provinces。 When the union was effected； it was deemed expedient that there should be but one capital； and the small town of Kingstown was selected； which is situated on the lower end of Lake Ontario； in the upper province。 But Kingstown was found to be inconvenient； lacking space and accommodation for those who had to follow the government； and the Governor removed it and himself to Montreal。 Montreal is in the lower province； but is very central to both the provinces； and it is moreover the chief town in Canada。 This would have done very well but for an unforeseen misfortune。 It will be remembered by most readers that in 1837 took place the Mackenzie…Papineau rebellion； of which those who were then old enough to be politicians heard so much in England。 I am not going back to recount the history of the period； otherwise than to say that the English Canadians at that time； in withstanding and combating the rebels； did considerable injury to the property of certain French Canadians； and that； when the rebellion had blown over and those in fault had been pardoned； a question arose whether or no the government should make good the losses of those French Canadians who had been injured。 The English Canadians protested that it would be monstrous that they should be taxed to repair damages suffered by rebels； and made necessary in the suppression of rebellion。 The French Canadians declared that the rebellion had been only a just assertion of their rights； that if there had been crime on the part of those who took up arms； that crime had been condoned； and that the damages had not fallen exclusively or even chiefly on those who had done so。 I will give no opinion on the merits of the question； but simply say that blood ran very hot when it was discussed。 At last the Houses of the Provincial Parliament； then assembled at Montreal； decreed that the losses should be made good by the public treasury； and the English mob in Montreal； when this decree became known； was roused to great wrath by a decision which seemed to be condemnatory of English loyalty。 It pelted Lord Elgin； the Governor…General； with rotten eggs； and burned down the Parliament house。 Hence there arose； not unnaturally； a strong feeling of anger on the part of the local government against Montreal； and moreover there was no longer a house in which the Parliament could be held in that town。 For these conjoint reasons it was decided to move the seat of government again； and it was resolved that the Governor and the Parliament should sit alternately at Toronto in Upper Canada； and at Quebec in Lower Canada； remaining four years at each place。 They went at first to Toronto for two years only； having agreed that they should be there on this occasion only for the remainder of the term of the then Parliament。 After that they were at Quebec for four years； then at Toronto for four； and now again are at Quebec。 But this arrangement has been found very inconvenient。 In the first place there is a great national expenditure incurred in moving old records and in keeping double records； in moving the library； and； as I have been informed； even the pictures。 The government clerks also are called on to move as the government moves； and though an allowance is made to them from the national purse to cover their loss； the arrangement has nevertheless been felt by them to be a grievance； as may be well understood。 The accommodation also for the ministers of the government and for members of the two Houses has been insufficient。 Hotels； lodgings； and furnished houses could not be provided to the extent required； seeing that they would be left nearly empty for every alternate space of four years。 Indeed； it needs but little argument to prove that the plan adopted must have been a thoroughly uncomfortable plan； and the wonder is that it should have been adopted。 Lower Canada had undertaken to make all her leading citizens wretched； providing Upper Canada would treat hers with equal severity。 This has now gone on for some twelve years； and as the system was found to be an unendurable nuisance； it has been at last admitted that some steps must be taken toward selecting one capital for the country。 I should here； in justice to the Canadians； state a remark made to me on this matter by one of the present leading politicians of the colony。 I cannot think that the migratory scheme was good but he defended it； asserting that it had done very much to amalgamate the people of the two provinces； that it had brought Lower Canadians into Upper Canada； and Upper Canadians into Lower Canada； teaching English to those who spoke only French before； and making each pleasantly acquainted with the other。 I have no doubt that somethingperhaps muchhas been done in this way； but valuable as the result may have been； I cannot think it worth the cost of the means employed。 The best answer to the above argument consists in the undoubted fact that a migratory government would never have been established for such a reason。 It was so established because Montreal； the central town； had given offense； and because the jealousy of the provinces against each other would not admit of the government being placed entirely at Quebec； or entirely at Toronto。 But it was necessary that some step should be taken； and as it was found to be unlikely that any resolution should be reached by the joint provinces themselves； it was loyally and wisely determined to refer the matter to the Queen。 That Her Majesty has constitutionally the power to call the Parliament of Canada at any town of Canada which she may select； admits； I conceive； of no doubt。 It is； I imagine； within her prerogative to call the Parliament of England where she may please within that realm； though her lieges would be somewhat startled if it were called otherwhere than in London。 It was therefore well done to ask Her Majesty to act as arbiter in the matter。 But there are not wanting those in Canada who say that in referring the matter to the Queen it was in truth referring it to those by whom very many of the Canadians were least willing to be guided in the matter； to the Governor…General namely； and the Colonial Secretary。 Many indeed in Canada now declare that the decision simply placed the matter in the hands of the Governor…General。 Be t
